Seeing the Unseen: Revealing the Presence of Nanobubbles with Light

Nanobubbles are incredibly small – less than 200 nanometers in diameter, which makes them invisible to the naked eye. So, how do we prove they’re actually there?

One of the best ways to reveal the presence of nanobubbles is with a simple but effective experiment: the Green Laser Test. 

What’s Happening in the Green Laser Test?   

In this Moleaer Science Lab experiment, we set up two glasses side by side. One contains plain deionized water, and the other is deionized water treated with Moleaer’s nanobubble generator. When looking at both side-by-side, they are indistinguishable. However, as the laser passes through both glasses, the results are strikingly different.  

• Deionized Water: as the laser passes through the deionized water first, the beam remains faint and barely visible. Why? Because it lacks a high concentration of dispersed small particles to scatter the light.  
  
• Deionized Water with Nanobubbles: however, when the laser passes through the water treated with Moleaer’s nanobubble generator, the beam is visible, vibrant, and lights up brilliantly. This is due to the high concentration of nanobubbles, which interact with the laser light and scatter it in multiple directions. 

The Science Behind It: The Tyndall Effect 

This phenomenon, known as the Tyndall Effect, occurs when light interacts with nanosized particles. Nanobubbles act like tiny particles suspended in water, and their nanoscale size and high concentration give them unique properties.

The Takeaway 

The green laser test isn’t just a fascinating laser beam effect – it’s proof of nanobubbles in action. The Tyndall effect, typically used to reveal nanoparticles, highlights their presence and dispersion in water. Unlike larger bubbles, nanobubbles provide a significantly higher surface area and enhanced penetration efficacy, unlocking new possibilities across industries. Though invisible to the naked eye, their impact is anything but.

This simple test offers a glimpse into the remarkable properties that make nanobubbles a game-changer.

Interested in learning more about nanobubbles?

Explore how to measure, visualize, and study nanobubbles in The Science Behind Nanobubble Technology, a webinar co-hosted by scientists from Malvern Panalytical and Moleaer. 

👉 Watch the webinar to gain expert insights.
👉 Contact Moleaer to learn how nanobubbles can transform your operations.